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Your plan for Karur

Rabi Rain only

We checked 53 crops against your soil, rain and temperature, whether or not they're grown near you.

It's November: 12 of the crops that suit can still be sown this season. For 2 the sowing time is over.

Your land

Soil

6

out of 10

Soil score

Okay

Short in most fields here: nitrogen, organic carbon, zinc and iron.

For most crops. How the soil score works

Rain

About 283 mm in Rabi

October–February, in a normal year. A dry year brings about 228 mm.

Temperature

Days about 32 °C, nights 22 °C in Rabi

Typical of the district's villages; a farm much higher or lower can be a few degrees cooler or warmer.

What's short in your soil, and what to do (4 nutrients)

  • Nitrogen

    From 9,598 soil tests

    Poor

    Low 100%

    Almost every soil test here came out low

    If your field is low: add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

    What this means

    Grows leaves and stems. Short soil gives pale, yellow leaves.

    Low under 280 kg/ha Medium 280–560 kg/ha High over 560 kg/ha

    Healthy soil has 280 kg/ha or more.

  • Organic carbon

    From 9,595 soil tests

    Poor

    Low 90% Medium 10%

    9 in 10 soil tests here came out low

    If your field is low: add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

    What this means

    Shows how much organic matter the soil has. It keeps soil loose, holds water and feeds the crop slowly.

    Low under 0.5% Medium 0.5–0.75% High over 0.75%

    Healthy soil has 0.5% or more.

  • Zinc

    From 9,590 soil tests

    Poor

    Short 75% Enough 25%

    7 in 10 soil tests here came out short

    If your field is short: mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

    What this means

    Needed for growth and healthy leaves. Rice and wheat often run short.

    Short under 0.6 ppm Enough 0.6 ppm or more

    Healthy soil has 0.6 ppm or more.

  • Iron

    From 9,596 soil tests

    Poor

    Short 76% Enough 24%

    8 in 10 soil tests here came out short

    If your field is short: spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

    What this means

    Keeps young leaves green.

    Short under 4.5 ppm Enough 4.5 ppm or more

    Healthy soil has 4.5 ppm or more.

Fixes are the usual advice. Your Soil Health Card or nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra gives the exact dose for your field.

Other soil results

  • Phosphorus

    From 9,598 soil tests

    Okay

    Low 31% Medium 38% High 31%

    3 in 10 soil tests here came out low

    If your field is low: add about a quarter more DAP or single super phosphate than the usual dose, at sowing.

    What this means

    Builds roots and helps the crop flower and fill grain.

    Low under 10 kg/ha Medium 10–25 kg/ha High over 25 kg/ha

    Healthy soil has 10 kg/ha or more.

  • Potassium

    From 9,598 soil tests

    Good

    Low 5% Medium 37% High 58%

    Most soil tests here came out high

    If your field is high: you can use about a quarter less potash than usual.

    What this means

    Fills grain and fruit, and helps crops stand drought and disease.

    Low under 110 kg/ha Medium 110–280 kg/ha High over 280 kg/ha

    Healthy soil has 110 kg/ha or more.

  • pH

    From 9,592 soil tests

    Good

    Acidic 3% Neutral 89% Alkaline 8%

    1 in 10 soil tests here came out alkaline

    What this means

    How sour (acidic) or alkaline the soil is. It decides which nutrients roots can take up.

    Acidic Neutral Alkaline

    In these tests, neutral means about pH 6 to 8, which suits most crops; acidic is below about 6 and alkaline above about 8.

  • Salt

    From 9,593 soil tests

    Good

    Not salty 99% Salty 1%

    Almost no soil tests here came out salty

    What this means

    Salt in the soil, shown as EC on the card. Salt makes it hard for roots to drink.

    Not salty Salty

    Under 1 dS/m is fine. Between 1 and 4, only crops that can't take salt lose yield. Above 4 harms most crops.

  • Sulphur

    From 9,598 soil tests

    Good

    Short 16% Enough 84%

    2 in 10 soil tests here came out short

    What this means

    Makes oil in oilseeds and protein in pulses.

    Short under 10 ppm Enough 10 ppm or more

    Healthy soil has 10 ppm or more.

  • Copper

    From 9,556 soil tests

    Good

    Short 7% Enough 93%

    1 in 10 soil tests here came out short

    What this means

    Helps the crop set seed and resist disease.

    Short under 0.2 ppm Enough 0.2 ppm or more

    Healthy soil has 0.2 ppm or more.

  • Manganese

    From 9,598 soil tests

    Okay

    Short 26% Enough 74%

    3 in 10 soil tests here came out short

    If your field is short: spray manganese sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, on the young crop.

    What this means

    Helps leaves make food from sunlight.

    Short under 2 ppm Enough 2 ppm or more

    Healthy soil has 2 ppm or more.

  • Boron

    From 9,588 soil tests

    Okay

    Short 35% Enough 65%

    4 in 10 soil tests here came out short

    If your field is short: mix 4 kg of borax per acre into the soil before sowing.

    What this means

    Needed for flowers to set seed and fruit.

    Short under 0.5 ppm Enough 0.5 ppm or more

    Healthy soil has 0.5 ppm or more.

Good fit 0

Water, temperature and soil type suit; amber shows what needs care, such as nutrients to add. Sorted by what is likely left per acre after costs; risky crops come lower.

Nothing fits well this season. Look at the crops below that are possible with effort, or try another season.

Possible, with effort 14

Each needs something extra: irrigation, soil care or a careful sowing time, or it likely loses money at typical costs. The card says what.

Sowing Growing Harvest

  1. Horse Gram (Kulthi)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around February

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    Grown on 8,802 acres here. Priced from mandis across India.

    ₹7,000–₹10,000

    per acre a season, before costs

    After typical costs: ₹733–₹4,000 an acre a season

    • Needs care: Risky: 5 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Suits: Soil 8/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 5 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 350 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (90 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 20 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 20–28 °C on average, and survives 17–35 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C
    • Jan 32 °C / 21 °C

    Months in orange are outside its best range.

    Soil

    Soil for Horse Gram (Kulthi): 8 out of 10 (good).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Low nitrogen matters less: it makes its own.
    • Many fields here are short of phosphorus, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.
    • Most fields here are short of zinc.

    Likes pH 5.5–7.0.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 2.2 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (February–March 2026): about ₹3,830 a quintal across India's mandis.

    This week: about ₹4,882 a quintal, the middle of 12 mandis across India (latest 12 Nov). At that price an acre would leave about ₹5,000 a season after typical costs.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹3,230 2021
    2. ₹4,350 2022
    3. ₹5,550 2023
    4. ₹5,920 2024
    5. ₹4,280 2025

    Prices swing a lot from year to year, so income can be well above or below this range.

    Prices are usually best in October.

    Typical costs are about ₹6,000 an acre: about half of what a usual harvest earns (2024–2026), as in farm cost surveys. They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 3.0 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    What local farmers put on it (share of fields):

    • Urea 100%
    • Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) 67%

  2. Jowar (Sorghum)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in September, harvest around January

    This season's sowing time (September–October) is over.

    Grown on 40,047 acres here. Priced from mandis across your state.

    ₹7,000–₹10,000

    per acre a season, before costs

    Likely a loss at typical costs: ₹2,000–₹6,000 an acre a season

    • Needs care: Risky: 4 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 4 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 360 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 180 mm it can use in a normal year, and 140 mm in a dry year.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 22–35 °C on average, and survives 8–40 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Sep 35 °C / 24 °C
    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Jowar (Sorghum): 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Many fields here are short of nitrogen, which it needs a lot.
    • Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

    Likes pH 5.5–8.0.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 2.7 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (January–February 2026): about ₹3,200 a quintal across mandis in your state.

    This week: about ₹3,700 a quintal, the middle of 125 mandis across India (latest 13 Nov). At that price an acre would lose about ₹3,000 a season at typical costs.

    Minimum support price: ₹4,023 a quintal (2026-27), if you sell to government procurement.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹2,920 2021
    2. ₹2,710 2022
    3. ₹3,410 2023
    4. ₹2,760 2025

    Prices are usually best in March.

    Typical costs are about ₹12,000 an acre (seed, fertiliser, labour and hired machines, from the government's cost survey). They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 6.5 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of nitrogen Your soil is likely short of nitrogen.

      Add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

      About 91% of local fields of this crop get it.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    What local farmers put on it (share of fields):

    • Urea 91%
    • Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) 45%
    • Muriate of Potash (MOP) 12%
    • Urea Ammonium Phosphate 6%

  3. Urad (Black Gram)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around January

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of December.

    Grown on 4,577 acres here. Priced from mandis across your state.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 3 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 3 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 250 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (90 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 10 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 22–35 °C on average, and survives 8–40 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Urad (Black Gram): 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Low nitrogen matters less: it makes its own.
    • Many fields here are short of phosphorus, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.
    • Most fields here are short of zinc.

    Likes pH 5.5–6.5.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 2.3 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (February 2026): about ₹8,000 a quintal across mandis in your state.

    This week: about ₹7,850 a quintal, the middle of 172 mandis across India (latest 13 Nov).

    Minimum support price: ₹8,200 a quintal (2026-27), if you sell to government procurement.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹5,330 2021
    2. ₹6,370 2022
    3. ₹7,250 2023
    4. ₹8,810 2024

    Prices are usually best in February.

    Typical costs are about ₹14,000 an acre (seed, fertiliser, labour and hired machines, from the government's cost survey). They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 2.8 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    What local farmers put on it (share of fields):

    • Urea 100%
    • Muriate of Potash (MOP) 35%
    • Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) 25%

  4. Sesame (Til)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around January

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    Grown on 1,804 acres here. Priced from mandis across India.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 4 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 4 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 290 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (90 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 20 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 20–30 °C on average, and survives 10–40 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C
    • Jan 32 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Sesame (Til): 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of nitrogen.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

    Likes pH 5.5–7.5.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 2.3 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (January–February 2026): about ₹8,733 a quintal across India's mandis.

    This week: about ₹14,050 a quintal, the middle of 81 mandis across India (latest 13 Nov).

    Minimum support price: ₹10,346 a quintal (2026-27), if you sell to government procurement.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹7,840 2021
    2. ₹9,550 2022
    3. ₹13,310 2023
    4. ₹11,590 2024
    5. ₹8,860 2025

    Prices are usually best in November.

    Typical costs are about ₹15,000 an acre (seed, fertiliser, labour and hired machines, from the government's cost survey). They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 2.3 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of nitrogen Your soil is likely short of nitrogen.

      Add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

      About 91% of local fields of this crop get it.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    What local farmers put on it (share of fields):

    • Urea 91%
    • Muriate of Potash (MOP) 68%
    • Single Super Phosphate (SSP) 68%
    • Urea Ammonium Phosphate 53%

  5. Cowpea (Lobia)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around January

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    Grown on 794 acres here. Priced from mandis across India.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 4 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Suits: Soil 8/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 4 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 280 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (90 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 20 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 25–35 °C on average, and survives 15–40 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C
    • Jan 32 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Cowpea (Lobia): 8 out of 10 (good).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Low nitrogen matters less: it makes its own.
    • Many fields here are short of phosphorus, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.
    • Most fields here are short of zinc.

    Likes pH 5.5–7.5.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 2.7 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (January–February 2026): about ₹6,592 a quintal across India's mandis.

    This week: about ₹8,781 a quintal, the middle of 24 mandis across India (latest 13 Nov).

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹5,510 2021
    2. ₹5,430 2022
    3. ₹6,340 2023
    4. ₹7,030 2024
    5. ₹5,820 2025

    Prices are usually best in November.

    Typical costs are about ₹10,000 an acre: about half of what a usual harvest earns (2024–2026), as in farm cost surveys. They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 2.9 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

  6. Moong (Green Gram)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around December

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    Grown on 521 acres here. Priced from mandis across India.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 3 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Suits: Soil 8/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 3 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 220 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (80 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 10 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 21–36 °C on average, and survives 8–40 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Moong (Green Gram): 8 out of 10 (good).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Low nitrogen matters less: it makes its own.
    • Many fields here are short of phosphorus, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.
    • Most fields here are short of zinc.

    Likes pH 6.2–7.5.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 1.2 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (December 2025–January 2026): about ₹6,108 a quintal across India's mandis.

    This week: about ₹8,050 a quintal, the middle of 152 mandis across India (latest 13 Nov).

    Minimum support price: ₹8,780 a quintal (2026-27), if you sell to government procurement.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹6,010 2021
    2. ₹6,130 2022
    3. ₹7,280 2023
    4. ₹7,580 2024
    5. ₹6,880 2025

    Prices are usually best in October.

    Typical costs are about ₹14,000 an acre (seed, fertiliser, labour and hired machines, from the government's cost survey). They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 2.6 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

  7. Sunflower

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around January

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    Grown on 504 acres here. Priced from mandis across India.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 4 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 4 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 300 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (90 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 20 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 17–34 °C on average, and survives 5–45 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C
    • Jan 32 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Sunflower: 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of nitrogen.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

    Likes pH 6.0–7.5.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 5.7 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (January–February 2026): about ₹6,349 a quintal across India's mandis.

    This week: about ₹7,400 a quintal, the middle of 21 mandis across India (latest 13 Nov).

    Minimum support price: ₹8,343 a quintal (2026-27), if you sell to government procurement.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹5,570 2021
    2. ₹5,590 2022
    3. ₹4,440 2023
    4. ₹4,340 2024
    5. ₹4,960 2025

    Prices are usually best in August.

    Typical costs are about ₹23,000 an acre (seed, fertiliser, labour and hired machines, from the government's cost survey). They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 3.6 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of nitrogen Your soil is likely short of nitrogen.

      Add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

      About 100% of local fields of this crop get it.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    What local farmers put on it (share of fields):

    • Urea 100%
    • Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) 47%
    • NPK Mixture 47%

  8. Bajra (Pearl Millet)

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around January

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    Grown on 400 acres here. Priced from mandis across your state.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 3 irrigations short
    • Suits: Ideal temperatures
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 3 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 250 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (90 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 10 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 25–35 °C on average, and survives 12–40 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C

    Soil

    Soil for Bajra (Pearl Millet): 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Many fields here are short of nitrogen, which it needs a lot.
    • Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

    Likes pH 6.5–8.0.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 8.2 quintals an acre here in this season (district figures).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (January–February 2026): about ₹2,808 a quintal across mandis in your state.

    This week: about ₹2,623 a quintal, the middle of 3 mandis in your state (latest 12 Nov).

    Minimum support price: ₹2,900 a quintal (2026-27), if you sell to government procurement.

    Average mandi price each year (₹ a quintal):
    1. ₹2,050 2021
    2. ₹2,720 2022
    3. ₹2,630 2023
    4. ₹2,850 2024
    5. ₹2,600 2025

    Prices are usually best in June.

    Typical costs are about ₹11,000 an acre (seed, fertiliser, labour and hired machines, from the government's cost survey). They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    The better districts with similar soil, rain and warmth get 11 quintals an acre. That's a realistic target.

    • Short of nitrogen Your soil is likely short of nitrogen.

      Add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

      About 96% of local fields of this crop get it.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Few local farmers add it to this crop, so it's an easy place to get ahead.

    What local farmers put on it (share of fields):

    • Urea 96%

  9. Beetroot

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in October, harvest around December

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    No figures for your district: its government crop records list no area or yield for this crop. Priced from mandis across your state.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 3 irrigations short
    • Needs care: Warm in October
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 3 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 240 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain in its months gives about 100 mm it can use in a normal year (80 mm in a dry one), and the soil holds about 10 mm from the monsoon at sowing.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 15–25 °C on average, and survives 4–35 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C (outside its best range)
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C (outside its best range)

    Months in orange are outside its best range.

    Soil

    Soil for Beetroot: 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Many fields here are short of nitrogen, which it needs a lot.
    • Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

    Likes pH 6.0–7.0.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    No yield records for this crop yet.

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (December 2025–January 2026): about ₹4,388 a quintal across mandis in your state.

    Prices are usually best in August.

    How to make it work

    • Short of nitrogen Your soil is likely short of nitrogen.

      Add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

  10. Cabbage

    JJASONDJFMAM

    Sow in September, harvest around December

    Still sowing time: sow by the end of November.

    No figures for your district: its government crop records list no area or yield for this crop. Priced from mandis across your state.

    Only with irrigation: rain gives too little of its water to count on

    • Needs care: Risky: 5 irrigations short
    • Needs care: Warm in September
    • Needs care: Soil 7/10
    Why, and how to make it work

    Water

    Rain falls about 5 irrigations (5 cm each) short in a normal year, so it's risky without water.

    Needs about 400 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 180 mm it can use in a normal year, and 140 mm in a dry year.

    Temperature

    Grows best at 15–24 °C on average, and survives 7–32 °C.

    Here, in its growing months (day / night):

    • Sep 35 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
    • Oct 33 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
    • Nov 31 °C / 23 °C (outside its best range)
    • Dec 31 °C / 21 °C (outside its best range)

    Months in orange are outside its best range.

    Soil

    Soil for Cabbage: 7 out of 10 (okay).

    • The pH here suits it.
    • Many fields here are short of nitrogen, which it needs a lot.
    • Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.
    • Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

    Likes pH 6.0–7.5.

    How the soil score works

    Money

    Yield: about 97 quintals an acre, the typical figure across India (no figures for your state).

    Rain gives it too little of the water it needs, so there's no income figure on rain alone: grow it only with irrigation.

    Mandi price at last season's harvest (December 2025–January 2026): about ₹3,000 a quintal across mandis in your state.

    Prices are usually best in June.

    Typical costs are about ₹71,000 an acre: about half of what a usual harvest earns (2024–2026), as in farm cost surveys. They are spent whatever the harvest.

    How to make it work

    • Short of nitrogen Your soil is likely short of nitrogen.

      Add about a quarter more urea than the usual dose, in two or three splits. A pulse crop in rotation also adds nitrogen.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of organic carbon Your soil is likely short of organic carbon.

      Add 4 tonnes of compost or farmyard manure per acre before sowing, and plough crop leftovers back in instead of burning them.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of zinc Your soil is likely short of zinc.

      Mix 10 kg of zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing. One dose lasts two or three seasons.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

    • Short of iron Your soil is likely short of iron.

      Spray ferrous sulphate, 5 g per litre of water, when young leaves turn yellow.

      Ask your Krishi Vigyan Kendra what to add for this crop.

39 crops won't work here See why for each one

10 more crops aren't judged yet because we don't have their growing needs.

Next steps

Source: Soil Health Card – soil nutrient analysis (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare); Crop area, production & yield – district-wise (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare); Crop area, production & yield – UPAG (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare); Horticulture area & production statistics (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare); IMD gridded daily rainfall (0.25°); IMD gridded daily max/min temperature (1°); TerraClimate 1991–2020 temperature normals (about 4 km), where each district's villages are; FAO ECOCROP crop requirements (via OpenCLIM/ecocrop); FAO-56 crop coefficients (Allen et al. 1998); Agmarknet daily prices and arrivals (India Data Portal).